Hu Jintao Meets with European Council President Herman Van Rompuy and European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso

2012/02/15

On the afternoon of February 15, 2012, President Hu Jintao met at the Great Hall of the People with European Council President Herman Van Rompuy and European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso, who are in China for the 14th China-EU summit.

President Hu hailed the current state of the China-EU comprehensive strategic partnership and the success of the summit.

In light of the complex and changing global situation, none of the members of the international community can afford to "go it alone," Hu said. "The peace and development of the world need to be jointly preserved and promoted by all countries side by side," he said. China has always attached great importance to the status and role of the EU in the international community and has developed its bilateral ties from a strategic and long-term perspective, Hu said. The president pledged to firmly support the integration of the 27-member bloc, saying China will work with the EU to enhance political and strategic dialogues and properly deal with major concerns and sensitive issues. He asked the two sides to expand all-around cooperation in multiple fields and at different levels in order to expand common interests and elevate the China-EU comprehensive strategic partnership.

China is closely watching and supports the measures taken by the EU, the International Monetary Fund and the European Central Bank to cope with the European debt problem, Hu said. China will continue to increase policy communication and coordination with the EU, enhance cooperation in the areas of economics, trade, investment and finance and engage in supportive action of the international community for Europe and the euro area, he said. "I believe that Europe has the capability and wisdom to overcome difficulties and embrace new development," Hu said.

Van Rompuy said common interests and interdependence between EU and China are increasing in an era of globalization, requiring enhanced dialogue, coordination and cooperation. The EU-China summit sends an important signal of enhancing EU-China cooperation and proves that the European Union and China are strategic partners instead of competitors and that their bilateral ties are reciprocal, he said. China's development will offer opportunities for Europe, Van Rompuy said, noting that the European side will deepen cooperation with China to jointly cope with challenges, safeguard world peace and stability and stimulate the recovery and development of the global economy.

Barroso said the European side will work with China to implement the consensus and agreements reached during the summit, expand cooperation and enhance coordination on major international issues so as to work together to promote the further development of EU-China comprehensive strategic partnership.

The European delegation said it appreciates China's support for its integration, and thanks for and welcomes China's efforts to help the EU and the international community to cope with the European debt crisis. The European side believes this will help boost market confidence in the euro and the euro area and is conducive to promoting recovery and growth of the European economy. The EU hopes to strengthen cooperation in trade, investment, finance and other fields with China.

Minister of Commerce Chen Deming, Vice Foreign Minister Zhang Zhijun, Ambassador Wu Hailong, head of the Chinese Mission to the EU, and other officials attended the meeting.